Laboratory Safety

Overview

The Laboratory Safety Program addresses chemical safety, biological safety, radiological safety and general safety issues found in laboratories. The program is designed to serve as a resource to the UTSA research and teaching community and assist with regulatory compliance. The program includes policies, procedures, safety guides and information, safety data sheet (SDS/MSDS) management, training, as well as lab evaluations, fume hood checks, safety reviews for research protocols (IBC, CSC, IACUC, Radiation & Laser Safety Committee, DOD Grants), and assistance with selection of personal protective equipment. More information on these programs can be found by selecting program links.

Laboratory Evaluations at UTSA

Laboratory evaluations are carried out by the Laboratory Safety Division. The frequency of evaluations depends upon the hazard level of the laboratory. Hazard levels are based on the chemical, biological, or radiological agents in the laboratory and/or the procedures carried out in the laboratory. The hazard level is determined by the Laboratory Safety Manager after consultation with the principal investigator (PI) or laboratory manager/supervisor. There are 3 hazard levels: low, medium and high. Low hazard laboratories are evaluated annually, medium hazard laboratories are evaluated biannually, and high hazard laboratories are evaluated each quarter. The entire evaluation procedure, including checklist, employee list form and inventory forms is available here. The checklist will be filled out by the Laboratory Safety Division Personnel at the time of the evaluation. Employee lists should be submitted prior to the evaluation and whenever changes of personnel occur. Inventories are required to be submitted or updated annually using the Chemical Inventory form (XLS).

Safety Training

Different courses are required for work in different labs. Please ask your Principal Investigator or contact the Safety Office at 458-6697 or 458-5807 to find out which courses are required.
Training information for online and classroom courses can be found at: http://mytraining.utsa.edu. A myUTSA ID (abc123) is needed to take the online courses. After logging in look for the course in the Courses Enrolled block, and if the course is not listed in "Courses Enrolled", then select the "Course Category" labeled "Laboratory Safety", and then click the course you wish to take. More information on safety training courses can be found here.

Lab Consultations

The Laboratory Safety Division is available as needed to help PIs, research personnel, TAs and students with any issues that might arise in the lab. We can offer advice or assistance on a number of areas, including New PI Information, Controlled Substances, Children in Labs, Laboratory and Equipment Clearance and Waste Disposal.

Gold Star Program

A gold star is awarded to a PI whose lab or labs are found to be free of management-related deficiencies in a quarter (deficiencies assigned to parties other than lab personnel are not counted for the purposes of the Gold Star program). Gold Star recipients are listed here.